Recording Material Type Determination via Multi-Apparatus Detection Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, the productivity decreases due to the necessity of determining the type of recording material for each sheet, leading to inefficiencies in the recording material determination process.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus system that includes a detecting unit to detect recording material characteristics, an obtaining unit to share detection results across connected image forming apparatuses via a server, and a determining unit to determine the type of recording material based on collective detection results, thereby reducing the need for individual sheet-by-sheet determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If recording material determination is performed for each sheet using a sensor, then the accuracy of recording material type identification is improved, but the productivity of the image forming apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines detection results from multiple image forming apparatuses to make a single recording material type determination. Instead of each apparatus independently determining the type for every sheet (which reduces productivity), the system merges information from multiple sources to achieve accurate identification while reducing the determination frequency for individual apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that collects detection results from multiple image forming apparatuses and performs the determination processing. This mediator coordinates the determination process, allowing individual apparatuses to operate without performing full determination cycles for every sheet, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring accurate identification through aggregated data.
2Reliability
If the number of sheets for determination is increased to confirm accuracy, then the reliability of recording material type determination is improved, but the productivity decreases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges determination results from multiple apparatuses processing different sheets. By combining the detection data from multiple sources, the system achieves reliable determination of recording material type without requiring each individual apparatus to process a large number of sheets for verification, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection on multiple sheets across different apparatuses simultaneously. Rather than one apparatus sequentially analyzing many sheets to confirm accuracy, the preliminary actions of multiple apparatuses are aggregated to achieve reliable determination more efficiently, reducing the total time and maintaining productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient recording material determination while minimizing the decrease in productivity, enabling quicker confirmation of recording material types and reducing the load on individual image forming apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a light source at a position opposite a sensor for determining a print paper, and by detecting transmitted light, the thickness of the print paper is determined according to the transmitted light
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus connected to one or more other image forming apparatuses, the image forming apparatus comprises: a detecting unit that detects a characteristic of a recording material; an obtaining unit that obtains a detection result by the detecting unit in each of the one or more other image forming apparatuses; and a determining unit that determines a type of a recording material used for image formation in the image forming apparatus based on the detection result by the detecting unit and the detection result obtained by the obtaining unit.